Apple TV as music source - Page 12 - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

ozz · 03-30-2008, 04:10 AM

Originally Posted by blessingx

So answer my old question -
On a parts breakdown: "The cheapest part? A 75¢ audio chip from Taiwan's RealTek Semiconductor."

Just picked a 160GB refurb up today as they showed back up. Haven't decided if it will replace my Squeezebox, but wanted to ask if any of you that used the Apple TV has any now long term advice? Anyone stop using it?

Now that i have spent some time with mine i can say it was money well spent
the hd movies that i rented look great for 720p and the dd5.1 sound better
than cable. The ability of having all my photos shown on the plasma while my
i-tunes is playing works great for the family along with podcast and you tube. I have 9gb of lossless songs stored for parties and family get togethers.

matt fury · 04-02-2008, 10:48 PM

Personally, I wish I had bought the Mini instead of the aTV. For my uses, it's all much simpler with an actual computer interface.

itsborken · 04-03-2008, 03:14 AM

Still have mine; no regrets and I prefer it to my mini in the family room; the cooling fans don't kick in on an ATV as there aren't any.

ozz · 04-03-2008, 03:59 AM

Originally Posted by itsborken

Still have mine; no regrets and I prefer it to my mini in the family room; the cooling fans don't kick in on an ATV as there aren't any.

Also no need for keyboard and mouse just a simple remote.

grawk · 04-03-2008, 04:02 AM

I don't use a keyboard and mouse with my media center mini.

It's just the mini and the duet hooked up to the amp. I use Signal to control it, or when I need to do more, I use remote desktop.

feverfive · 06-17-2008, 04:04 AM

Just got done reading this thread...very informative, and timely as I have just ordered an ATV for use as a music transport. I was also interested to see what DACs people are using. I'm considering the PS Audio Digital Link III, especially after I move to separates & will have a analog pre-amp instead of a AVR w/ a internal DAC (I don't want to use the ATV's analog output, I'm pretty sure). Thanks to all for sharing your impressions.

sxr71 · 07-08-2008, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by itsborken

Well, I can take my laptop on the road (or turn it off or reload the OS because it's $#^@*#$* windows) and my wife can still listen to a ton of tunes on the hard drive.

I turn the TV off once I pick the first album. It does its random picks from there. Does the squeezebox do digital directly to optical output? To be honest, I never looked at it.

Coaxial. I've been trying to decide between an ATV or a Squeezebox Duet. The squeezebox is more expensive since I'll need either an ATV or ReadyNAS device to store my music and run Squeezecenter.

However, I hear that Coaxial yields better results than optical. Not needing a TV also a major advantage.

Then I need a DAC with variable output, since I don't have a pre-amp.

IListenToMusic · 09-04-2008, 08:41 PM

Long time reader - first time poster.

Quick question regarding the analog output of the ATV. I am currently using the analog output to feed a NAD 315 and then either a Sennheiser HD650 or Scandyna Minipods. Since so many people in this thread are complaining about the sound quality of the analog output of the ATV, I would like to ask if there is really a noticeable quality increase if using a DAC (let's say a ~500$ DAC). I am mostly listening to 320kbps MP3s or Apple Lossless. Would it even "improve" the sound quality of my MP3s ? Any input / experience appreciated.

ozz · 09-04-2008, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by IListenToMusic

Long time reader - first time poster.

Quick question regarding the analog output of the ATV. I am currently using the analog output to feed a NAD 315 and then either a Sennheiser HD650 or Scandyna Minipods. Since so many people in this thread are complaining about the sound quality of the analog output of the ATV, I would like to ask if there is really a noticeable quality increase if using a DAC (let's say a ~500$ DAC). I am mostly listening to 320kbps MP3s or Apple Lossless. Would it even "improve" the sound quality of my MP3s ? Any input / experience appreciated.

Can't speak for everyone but on my system the optical out to the Integra
which use Wolfson DAC'S is a lot better than the 2-ch analog audio.

itsborken · 09-04-2008, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by IListenToMusic

Since so many people in this thread are complaining about the sound quality of the analog output of the ATV...

I just reread the thread and I haven't found *anybody* really complaining about the sound quality of ATV analog. It's not a good thing to make unfounded statements like that 'cause the next guy is going to take it on faith that you read everthing and that it's so, repeat it, etc. It evolves to ATV generally stinks, and it becomes a common yet unwarranted view of the ATV.

Nevertheless, given the choice I'd pick optical over analog.